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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Amaranthus blitum is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf from April to October, in flower in August, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

A. blitum. L.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Seed
Edible Uses: Colouring

Leaves - raw or cooked as a spinach[2, 4, 55, 183]. The leaves contain about 3.88% protein, 1.1% fat, 9.38% carbohydrate, 3.2% ash, 323mg Ca, 8.3mg Fe, they are very rich in Vitamins A & C, rich in vitamin B1[179]. The leaves are used as a potherb in order to remove poison from the system[218]. Seed - cooked. Used as a cereal substitute in cakes, porridge etc[55, 183]. Very small, about 1.2mm in diameter[266], but it is easy to harvest and very nutritious. The seed can be cooked whole, and becomes very gelatinous like this, but it is rather difficult to crush all of the small seeds in the mouth and thus some of the seed will pass right through the digestive system without being assimilated[K]. An edible dye is obtained from the seed capsules[4].

References More on Edible Uses

Composition

Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.

Leaves (Fresh weight)

0 Calories per 100g
Water : 0%
Protein: 3.9g; Fat: 1.1g; Carbohydrate: 9.4g; Fibre: 0g; Ash: 3.2g;
Minerals - Calcium: 323mg; Phosphorus: 0mg; Iron: 8.3mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 0mg; Potassium: 0mg; Zinc: 0mg;
Vitamins - A: 0mg; Thiamine (B1): 0mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0mg; Niacin: 0mg; B6: 0mg; C: 0mg;
Reference: [ ]
Notes:

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent

A fluid extract of the plant is used as an astringent internally in the treatment of ulcerated mouths and throats, externally as a wash for ulcers and sores[4]. The juice of the roots is used externally to relieve headaches[272]. The plant has a folk reputation for being effective in the treatment of tumours and warts[218].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

Yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the whole plant[168].

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator Food Forest

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Often cultivated, especially the form oleraceus, the plant succeeds from the temperate zone through to the tropics. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 21 - 27°c, but can tolerate 18 - 32°c[418 ]. It can be killed by temperatures of 4°c or lower[418 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,200 - 1,500mm, but tolerates 200 - 2,700mm[418 ]. Prefers a well-drained fertile soil in a sunny position[200 ]. Requires a hot sheltered position if it is to do well[K ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7, tolerating 4.3 to 7.5[418 ]. The plant has become a weed in many areas of the world outside its original range. It is classified as 'Invasive' in many Pacific Islands[305 ]. Plants are particularly susceptible to attacks by leaf-chewing insects[298 ]. Plants should not be given inorganic fertilizers, see notes above on toxicity. This plant was cultivated by the ancient Romans and Greeks for its edible leaves, there are some named varieties[183 ]. Most if not all members of this genus photosynthesize by a more efficient method than most plants. Called the 'C4 carbon-fixation pathway', this process is particularly efficient at high temperatures, in bright sunlight and under dry conditions[196 ]. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is clumping, giving the plant a clumping habit. The predictable growth behaviour makes it easier to maintain without having to apply containment methods[2-1].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow late spring in situ. An earlier sowing can be made in a greenhouse and the plants put out after the last expected frosts. Germination is usually rapid and good if the soil is warm[133]. A drop in temperature overnight aids germination[133]. Cuttings of growing plants root easily[206].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Amaranthus albus	Prostrate Pigweed	Annual	0.7	8-10		LMH	N	M	2	0	1
Amaranthus bidentata		Annual	0.9	-		LMH	N	M	2	1	1
Amaranthus blitoides	Mat Amaranth	Annual	0.2	6-10		LMH	N	M	2	0	1
Amaranthus campestris		Annual	0.0	-		LMH	N	M	2	1	1
Amaranthus caudatus	Love Lies Bleeding	Annual	2.0	4-8		LMH	N	DM	4	1	2
Amaranthus cruentus	Purple Amaranth, Red amaranth	Annual	2.0	3-11		LMH	N	M	4	2	2
Amaranthus diacanthus		Annual	0.0	-		LMH	N	M	2	0	1
Amaranthus dubius	Spleen Amaranth	Annual	1.0	-		LMH	N	M	2	0	1
Amaranthus frumentaceus		Annual	0.0	-		LMH	N	M	2	0	1
Amaranthus graecizans	Spreading Pigweed, Mediterranean amaranth	Annual	0.5	0-0		LMH	N	M	2	0	1
Amaranthus hybridus	Rough Pigweed, Slim amaranth	Annual	2.0	6-12		LMH	N	M	4	1	1
Amaranthus hypochondriacus	Prince's Feather, Prince-of-wales feather	Annual/Perennial	1.2	3-10		LMH	N	M	4	3	2
Amaranthus mangostanus		Annual	1.5	-		LMH	N	M	2	0	1
Amaranthus mitchellii	Boggabri Weed	Annual	0.5	-		LMH	N	M	2	0	1
Amaranthus pallidiflorus		Annual	1.0	-		LMH	N	M	2	0	1
Amaranthus palmeri	Careless Weed	Annual	0.9	7-12		LMH	N	M	2	0	1
Amaranthus polygamus		Annual	0.0	-		LMH	N	M	2	1	1
Amaranthus polystachyus		Annual	0.0	-		LMH	N	M	2	0	1
Amaranthus powellii	Powell's Amaranth	Annual	1.8	6-11		LMH	N	M	2	0	1
Amaranthus quitensis	Ataco	Annual	1.0	-		LMH	N	M	2	0	1
Amaranthus retroflexus	Pigweed, Redroot amaranth, Wild Beet	Annual	0.9	3-11		LMH	N	M	3	2	2
Amaranthus spinosus	Spiny Amaranth	Annual	0.6	4-11		LMH	N	M	2	3	1
Amaranthus standleyanus	Indehiscent Pigweed	Annual	0.7	-		LMH	N	M	2	0	1
Amaranthus tenuifolius		Annual	0.0	-		LMH	N	M	2	0	1
Amaranthus thunbergii	Thunberg's Pigweed, Thunberg's amaranthus	Annual	0.5	0-0		LMH	N	M	2	0	1
Amaranthus torreyi	Torrey's amaranthus	Annual	0.8	0-0		LMH	N	M	2	0	1
Amaranthus tricolor	Chinese Spinach, Joseph's-coat, Fountain Plant, Tampala , Summer Poinsettia	Annual	1.0	3-11	M	LMH	N	M	3	1	2
Amaranthus viridis	Calalu, Slender amaranth	Annual	0.5	7-11		LMH	N	M	3	2	1

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Readers comment


DANE	Wed Aug 19 2009

thanks

Amaranthus blitum - L.